Reduced immunosuppression in pediatric liver-intestine transplant recipients with CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells

Twelve pediatric liver (n = 7), liver-kidney (n = 1), and small bowel (n = 4) transplant recipients, median age 6.5 years (1-21), who received rabbit anti-human thymocyte globulin (rATG) and steroid-free tacrolimus/sirolimus, were screened for the presence of CD8+CD28- T suppressor cells. Four control liver transplant recipients, median age 15 years (5-20), in whom conventional immunosuppression without rATG was successfully discontinued for at least 1 year, were also screened as a reference population. Median time to CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells analysis was 16 months (2-24) in rATG subjects and 168 months (16-228) in no-immunosuppression subjects. Nine of 16 patients demonstrated the presence of CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells in the circulation, whereas seven patients did not. CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells were present in 4/4 children with no immunosuppression, and absent from three of four subjects with acute cellular rejection, all of whom experienced more than one acute cellular rejection episode. In the reduced immunosuppression group (n = 8), four children demonstrated presence of CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells in the circulation and four did not. The presence of donor-specific T-suppressor cells in the circulation may characterize transplant recipients, in whom graft function can be maintained with minimal or no immunosuppression. Such assays may also permit safe evaluation of prospective immunosuppression withdrawal strategies.     

他克莫司与环孢菌素A对肝移植受者CD8+CD28-调节性T细胞的不同调节特性

目的 探讨他克莫司(FK506)与环孢菌素A(CsA)对肝移植受者CD8 GD28-调节性T细胞(Treg)及细胞因子IL-10的调节效应.方法 采用荧光标记单克隆抗体结合流式细胞技术分析接受FK506或CsA治疗的肝移植受者外周血CD8 T细胞及共刺激分子CD28的表达情况,采用流式细胞小球微阵列术(CBA)分析血浆中IL-10浓度.以健康志愿者和患终末期肝脏疾病拟进行肝移植者作为对照.结果 疾病对照组CD8 T细胞和CD8 CD28-T细胞/CD8 CD28 T细胞比值(Ratio值)显著低于健康对照组(P＜0.05).FKS06治疗组CD8 T细胞表达显著回升(P＜0.05),且增加的CD8 T细胞主要为CD8 CD28-Treg(P＜0.05).CaA治疗组CD8 T细胞和CD8 CD28-Treg未出现明显回升(P＞0.05).且FKS06治疗组CD8 CD28-Tteg表达显著高于CaA治疗组(P＜0.05).两治疗组血浆IL-10水平均显著高于健康对照组和疾病对照组(P＜0.05),但组间差别无显著性(P＞0.05).结论 FKS06可促进肝移植受者外周血CD8 CIY28-Treg表达并同时促进IL-10的产生从而加强T细胞的免疫耐受,而CaA虽不能有效促进CD8 CD28-Treg的表达但却能促进IL-10的产生.     

CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ T细胞在肾移植手术后患者外周血中的比例变化及意义

用流式细胞仪分别检测不同功能状态下肾移植术后患者体内的CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ Ts细胞和CD8+CD28- Foxp3+ Ts细胞,通过比较两类细胞的阳性表达率初步探讨它们之间的表达关系和意义.选取正常健康人10例,移植肾功能稳定的长期存活者24例,慢性移植物肾病者20例,急性排斥者15例,取受试者外周静脉血,分离单个核细胞,利用流式细胞仪检测CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ Ts细胞和CD8+CD28- Foxp3+ Ts细胞在CD8+CD28-T细胞群中的比例.结果表明组间比较得出,CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ Ts细胞和CD8+CD28-Foxp3+ Ts细胞比例在四组之间均有统计学差异(P＜0.05).其中在长期存活组表达量最高,其CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ Ts细胞和CD8+CD28- Foxp3+ Ts的比例分别为16.15%±1.49%和11.90%±2.73%,其次为正常健康人(13.83%±2.38%、9.44%±2.03%),然后为慢性移植物肾病组(8.03%±2.67%、5.26%±0.65%),而急排组最低(3.34%±1.73%、2.36%±1.14%),并且四组间这两种细胞呈同一变化趋势且前者的变化幅度大于后者.组内比较显示,CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ Ts细胞比例均高于CD8+CD28- Foxp3+ Ts细胞(P＜0.05).CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ Ts细胞可以从整体水平上反映肾移植术后患者的免疫状态,它比CD8+CD28- Foxp3+ Ts细胞更能全面的反映术后患者的预后情况.     

Generation of CD28- cells from long-term-stimulated CD8+CD28+ T cells: a possible mechanism accounting for the increased number of CD8+CD28- T cells in HIV-1-infected patients.

According to CD28 molecule expression, CD8+ T cells can be classed as CD28bright, CD28dim, and CD28-. The CD28dim T cells were found to derive from mitogenic stimulated CD28-T cells but also from CD28bright T cells through a mechanism of CD28 down-modulation. Moreover, after prolonged in vitro interleukin-2 stimulation, clonal CD28bright, cells showed a CD28dim expression before further evolution to a stable CD28-phenotype. This loss was concomitant with the disappearance of CD28 mRNA. A study of the cytokine production pattern revealed that CD28dim and CD28- T cell clones produced similar levels of type 1 and type 2 cytokines, which differed from those produced by the CD28bright T cell clones. A high percentage of CD28dim and CD28- cells, with similarities in their cytokine production pattern, were found in the blood samples of HIV-infected patients, as compared to healthy donors. The CD28 down-modulation may account for the increased number of CD8+CD28- T cells in HIV-infected patients.     

CD8+CD28-NRP-1+ T细胞在肾移植手术后患者外周血中的比例变化及意义

用流式细胞仪分别检测不同功能状态下肾移植术后患者体内的CD8~ CD28~-NRP-1~ Ts细胞和CD8~ CD28~-Foxp3~ Ts细胞,通过比较两类细胞的阳性表达率初步探讨它们之间的表达关系和意义。选取正常健康人10例,移植肾功能稳定的长期存活者24例,慢性移植物肾病者20例,急性排斥者15例,取受试者外周静脉血,分离单个核细胞,利用流式细胞仪检测CD8~ CD28~-NRP-1~ Ts细胞和CD8~ CD28~-Foxp3~ Ts细胞在CD8~ CD28~-T细胞群中的比例。结果表明组间比较得出,CD8~ CD28~-NRP-1~ Ts细胞和CD8~ CD28~-Foxp3~ Ts细胞比例在四组之间均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。其中在长期存活组表达量最高,其CD8~ CD28~-NRP-1~ Ts细胞和CD8~ CD28~-Foxp3~ Ts的比例分别为16.15%±1.49%和11.90%±2.73%,其次为正常健康人(13.83%±2.38%、9.44%±2.03%),然后为慢性移植物肾病组(8.03%±2.67%、5.26%±0.65%),而急排组最低(3.34%±1.73%、2.36%±1.14%),并且四组间这两种细胞呈同一变化趋势且前者的变化幅度大于后者。组内比较显示,CD8~ CD28~-NRP-1~ Ts细胞比例均高于CD8~ CD28~-Foxp3~ Ts细胞(P<0.05)。CD8~ CD28 NRP-1~ Ts细胞可以从整体水平上反映肾移植术后患者的免疫状态,它比CD8~ CD28~-Foxp3~ Ts细胞更能全面的反映术后患者的预后情况。     

CD8+ CD28- and CD8+ CD57+ T cells and their role in health and disease

Chronic antigenic stimulation leads to gradual accumulation of late-differentiated, antigen-specific, oligoclonal T cells, particularly within the CD8(+) T-cell compartment. They are characterized by critically shortened telomeres, loss of CD28 and/or gain of CD57 expression and are defined as either CD8(+) CD28(-) or CD8(+) CD57(+) T lymphocytes. There is growing evidence that the CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T-cell population plays a significant role in various diseases or conditions, associated with chronic immune activation such as cancer, chronic intracellular infections, chronic alcoholism, some chronic pulmonary diseases, autoimmune diseases, allogeneic transplantation, as well as has a great influence on age-related changes in the immune system status. CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T-cell population is heterogeneous and composed of various functionally competing (cytotoxic and immunosuppressive) subsets thus the overall effect of CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T-cell-mediated immunity depends on the predominance of a particular subset. Many articles claim that CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T cells have lost their proliferative capacity during process of replicative senescence triggered by repeated antigenic stimulation. However recent data indicate that CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T cells can transiently up-regulate telomerase activity and proliferate under certain stimulation conditions. Similarly, conflicting data is provided regarding CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T-cell sensitivity to apoptosis, finally leading to the conclusion that this T-cell population is also heterogeneous in terms of its apoptotic potential. This review provides a comprehensive approach to the CD8(+) CD28(-) (CD8(+) CD57(+)) T-cell population: we describe in detail its origins, molecular and functional characteristics, subsets, role in various diseases or conditions, associated with persistent antigenic stimulation.     

CD8+ T cells and not CD4+ T cells are hyporesponsive to CD28- and CD40L-mediated activation in HIV-infected subjects

T cell dysfunction in HIV-infected subjects could be the consequence of altered sensitivity of CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells to various costimulatory signals. Therefore, we studied proliferation and cytokine production in highly purified CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells from HIV-infected and HIV⁻ subjects, induced by co-activation via cell-bound CD80, CD86 and CD40 or by allo-activation. Regardless of the nature of the first and the costimulatory signal, CD8⁺ T cells from patients proliferated consistently less than controls, while responses from CD4⁺ T cells were similar in patients and controls. This phenomenon was observed after ligation of CD28 combined with anti-CD3 or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), but also after allogeneic stimulation and after activation by CD40 and anti-CD3. Anti-CD3 combined with CD80 or CD86 induced a mixed Th1/Th2-type cytokine profile in both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from controls, whereas anti-CD3 plus CD40 induced only low levels of Th2-type cytokines and no interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in CD4⁺ T cells. Compared with controls, CD4⁺ T cells from patients produced slightly lower levels of IL-10 but equal amounts of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-5, while CD8⁺ T cells from patients produced less of all cytokines tested. In conclusion, responses of purified CD4⁺ T cells from HIV⁺ subjects to various costimulatory pathways are relatively intact, whereas CD8⁺ T cells are hyporesponsive at the level of proliferation and cytokine production. A generalized intrinsic CD8⁺ T cell failure might contribute to viral and neoplastic complications of HIV infection.     

RA患者外周血CD8＋CD28-和CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞的表达及疾病活动性指标相关性分析

目的：检测类风湿性关节炎（RA）患者外周血CD8＋CD28-、CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞亚群,探讨其与临床活动性指标的关系。方法：采用流式细胞术检测台州医院RA患者外周血CD8＋CD28-、CD4＋CD25＋ T细胞亚群比例,探讨调节性T细胞与RA活动性、类风湿因子（RF）、免疫球蛋白（Ig）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、补体C3、抗CCP抗体、抗核抗体（ANA）、血小板（PLT）及血沉（ESR）的关系。结果：活动期RA患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋调节性T细胞亚群比例显著低于正常对照组（P〈0.01）,但稳定期RA患者与正常对照组结果差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。活动期和稳定期RA患者CD8＋CD28-与正常对照组相比较,结果无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;CD4＋CD25＋与CRP密切相关（r=-0.593,P〈0.05）,CD8＋CD28-与ESR相关系数呈弱相关。CD4＋CD25＋和CD8＋CD28-细胞与RF、IGG、C3、ANA、anti-CCP和PLT未见明显相关性。结论：活动期RA患者外周血CD4＋CD25＋ T细胞亚群比例减少,CD4＋CD25＋ T细胞可能与类风湿性关节炎疾病进展有关。     

Nonantigen specific CD8+ T suppressor lymphocytes originate from CD8+CD28- T cells and inhibit both T-cell proliferation and CTL function

Nonantigen specific CD8+ suppressor T lymphocytes (CD8+ Ts) inhibit T-cell proliferation of antigen-specific T lymphocytes. The impossibility to generate in vitro these cells has been correlated with the appearance of relapses in patients affected by autoimmune diseases, suggesting the involvement of these cells in immune regulation. This study was aimed to identify circulating precursors and to characterize the phenotype and mechanism of action of CD8+ Ts. We found that CD8+ Ts can be generated in vitro from CD8+CD28- T lymphocytes, but not from CD8+CD28+ T cells. A key role in their generation is played by monocytes that secrete interleukin-10 (IL-10) after granulocyte macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulation. Cell-to-cell direct interaction between CD8+CD28- T cells and monocytes does not play a role in the generation of CD8+ Ts. CD8+ Ts have a CD45RA+, CD27-, CCR7-, IL-10Ralpha+ phenotype and a TCR Vbeta chain repertoire overlapping that of autologous circulating CD8+ T cells. This phenotype is typical of T lymphocytes previously expanded due to antigen stimulation. Their suppressive effect on T-cell proliferation targets both antigen presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, and antigen-specific T lymphocytes, and is mediated by IL-10. CD8+ Ts suppress also the antigen-specific cytotoxic activity of CTL decreasing the expression of HLA class I molecules on target cells through IL-10 secretion. These findings can be helpful for the better understanding of immune regulatory circuits and for the definition of new pathogenic aspects in autoimmunity and tumor immunology.     

CD8+ CD28− T cells in vertically HIV-infected children

To evaluate whether vertical HIV infection interferes with the expression of CD28 on T lymphocytes, 25 HIV-infected children and 29 seroreverted children born to HIV⁺ mothers were studied. The percentage of CD28⁻ cells among CD8⁺ T lymphocytes was higher in HIV-infected children than in controls (P < 0.001). In fact, in HIV-infected children, this percentage was elevated from the first year of life, while in healthy seroreverted children, the proportion of CD28⁻ cells among CD8⁺ cells rose progressively with age (r = 0.49; P = 0.008). In HIV⁺ children, the CD8⁺ CD28⁻, but not CD8⁺ CD28⁺ cell proportion was significantly correlated with immunological markers of disease progression, such as CD4⁺ cell loss (r = −0.65; P < 0.001) and the level of in vitro spontaneous lymphocyte apoptosis (r = 0.53; P = 0.03).     

Interleukin-2 in CD8+ T cells correlates with Banff score during organ rejection in liver transplant recipients

The aim of this study is to compare the histological grading of acute organ rejection according to the Banff score with intracellular interleukin-2 (IL-2) concentrations in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood samples. 66 recipients after liver transplantation and 20 healthy controls were included into this study. Blood samples of liver transplant recipients were collected beside routine visits or, in case of suspected organ rejection, with additional liver biopsy. For cytometry, the blood cells were stained with CD3, CD8 and intracellular-IL-2. The percentage of cells with detectable intracellular IL-2 was significantly increased in patients with acute rejection (n = 7, P < 0.001, t Test) compared to recipients without rejection. The percentage of cells with detectable intracellular IL-2 (mean ± SEM) was 7.6 ± 0.9% in rejection patients, 2.3 ± 0.22% in stable liver transplant recipients, and 14 ± 2.99% in healthy controls. Intracellular IL-2 correlates to the Banff score in rejection patients (Spearmans-rho = 0.81, P < 0.05). This cytometric method shows a good sensitivity (71%) with a cut-off based on a high specificity of 95% for histological proven organ rejection in our study cohort. Measurement of intracellular IL-2 in cytotoxic CD8+ T-lymphocytes by flow cytometry correlates very well to the histological grading according to the Banff score and shows a good sensitivity and excellent specificity in acute organ rejection.     

Regulatory circuits in autoimmunity: recruitment of counter-regulatory CD8+ T cells by encephalitogenic CD4+ T line cells

In this study, pretreatment of Lewis rats with a syngeneic encephalitogenic T cell line (S1) was found to be able to constantly induce resistance to the subsequent induction of transferred experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (tEAE). This treatment was capable of protecting recipient animals for at least 2-4 months. Here we show an enhanced suppressor T(anti-S1) cell activity, which can be readily detected in the lymphoid organs of animals which recovered from S1-induced tEAE, or from rats pretreated with attenuated (irradiated, fixative treated or water-lysed) S1 cells. Anti-S1 cells, which uniformly express the CD8 phenotype, were selectively stimulated to grow and expand into lines by confronting primed lymphoid cells with irradiated S1 cells in culture. The proliferative response of anti-S1 cells was independent of myelin basic protein and antigen-presenting cells, and the responses against unrelated encephalitogenic T cell lines were minimal. It was also found that none of the monoclonal antibodies tested (including CD8 and MHC class I antigen-specific antibodies) was able to block S1/anti-S1 interactions. These cells are functionally suppressive to the proliferation of S1 cells in vitro, are specifically cytolytic directed against the EAE-inducing S1 cells and are able to antagonize encephalitogenic capacity of S1 cells in vivo. In vivo elimination of the CD8+ T subset from Lewis rats, using a combined treatment of thymectomy and OX-8 antibody injection before the initial cell transfer, totally blocked the induction of resistance. Our experiments document that induction of functionally active suppressor T cells is responsible for the induced resistance observed in tEAE.     

Detection of CD8+ T cells sensitized to BK virus large T antigen in healthy volunteers and kidney transplant recipients

BK virus (BKV) infections after renal transplantation are increasingly recognized. Development of immune monitoring strategies against BKV requires definition of antigenic epitopes. Hence, T cells from HLA-A02-positive healthy subjects and kidney transplant recipients were stimulated by BKV lysate pulsed on mature autologous dendritic cells and screened against four different T antigen peptides or against BKV lysate. IFN-gamma production was measured by ELISPOT assays. The peptide BKV362-371 (MLTERFNHIL) was naturally processed and recognized by five of six healthy subjects (39 +/- 11 IFN-gamma spots/100,000 cells) and five of seven kidney transplant recipients (21 +/- 12 IFN-gamma spots). Less frequent and weaker CD8+ T-cell responses were detected against three other peptides. Thus, BKV large T antigen is a target for CD8+ T-cell immunity. T-antigen-specific T-cytotoxic cells circulate in healthy blood donors, implying that transient expression of T antigen presumably occurs at sites of viral latency and helps maintain a constant pool of circulating CD8+ T memory cells.     

Mesenchymal stem cells control alloreactive CD8+CD28− T cells

CD28/B7 co-stimulation blockade with belatacept prevents alloreactivity in kidney transplant patients. However, cells lacking CD28 are not susceptible to belatacept treatment. As CD8⁺CD28⁻ T-cells have cytotoxic and pathogenic properties, we investigated whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are effective in controlling these cells. In mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR), MSC and belatacept inhibited peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. MSC at MSC/effector cell ratios of 1:160 and 1:2·5 reduced proliferation by 38·8 and 92·2%, respectively. Belatacept concentrations of 0·1 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml suppressed proliferation by 20·7 and 80·6%, respectively. Both treatments in combination did not inhibit each other''s function. Allostimulated CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cells were able to proliferate and expressed the cytolytic and cytotoxic effector molecules granzyme B, interferon (IFN)-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. While belatacept did not affect the proliferation of CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cells, MSC reduced the percentage of CD28⁻ T cells in the proliferating CD8⁺ T cell fraction by 45·9% (P = 0·009). CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cells as effector cells in MLR in the presence of CD4⁺ T cell help gained CD28 expression, an effect independent of MSC. In contrast, allostimulated CD28⁺ T cells did not lose CD28 expression in MLR–MSC co-culture, suggesting that MSC control pre-existing CD28⁻ T cells and not newly induced CD28⁻ T cells. In conclusion, alloreactive CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cells that remain unaffected by belatacept treatment are inhibited by MSC. This study indicates the potential of an MSC–belatacept combination therapy to control alloreactivity.     

Differentiation of human CD8 T cells: implications for in vivo persistence of CD8+ CD28- cytotoxic effector clones

CD8 T cells contain a distinct subset of CD8+ CD28- cells. These cells are not present at birth and their frequency increases with age. They frequently contain expanded clones using various TCRalphabeta receptors and these clones can represent >50% of all CD8 cells, specially in old subjects or patients with chronic viral infections such as HIV-1. Herein, it is shown that a large fraction of CD8+ CD28- cells expresses intracellular perforin by three-color flow cytometry, in particular when this subset is expanded. Together with their known ability to exert potent re-directed cytotoxicity, this indicates that CD8+ CD28- T cells comprise cytotoxic effector cells. With BrdU labeling, we show that CD8+ CD28- cells derive from CD8+ CD28+ precursors in vitro. In addition, sorted CD8+ CD28+ cells gave rise to a population of CD8+ CD28- cells after allo-stimulation. Moreover, ex vivo CD8+ CD28+ cells contain the majority of CD8 blasts, supporting the notion that they contain the proliferative precursors of CD8+ CD28- cells. CD95 (Fas) expression was lower in CD8+ CD28- cells, and this subset was less prone to spontaneous apoptosis in ex vivo samples and more resistant to activation-induced cell death induced by a superantigen in vitro. Thus, the persistence of expanded clones in vivo in the CD8+ CD28- subset may be explained by antigen-driven differentiation from CD8+ CD28+ memory precursors, with relative resistance to apoptosis as the clones become perforin(+) effector cells.     

TCR repertoire of suppressor CD8+CD28- T cell populations.

The cellular basis of graft rejection and the development of strategies for specific suppression of T cell responses against allogeneic and xenogeneic transplants represents an area of active investigation. Recently, a population of MHC-class I restricted CD8+CD28- T suppressor cells (Ts) which are able to inhibit specifically the proliferative response of allospecific, xenospecific and nominal-antigen specific CD4+ T helper cells (Th) has been identified. We have studied the TCR V beta gene repertoire expressed by CD8+CD28- Ts isolated from allospecific, xenospecific, and nominal antigen-specific T cell lines (TCL). A limited V beta repertoire has been found in all TCLs studied. The most restricted TCR V beta usage was observed within the population of Ts from xenospecific TCLs. The TCR V beta usage within the Ts subset of TCL differs from the TCR repertoire expressed by the CD4+ Th subset of the same TCL. This is consistent with the fact that Ts and Th cells recognize distinct MHC/ antigen complexes. The finding that the TCR repertoire used by Ts is limited opens new avenues for studying the mechanisms of transplant rejection.     

Regulatory function of cytomegalovirus-specific CD4CD27CD28 T cells

CMV infection is characterized by high of frequencies of CD27⁻CD28⁻ T cells. Here we demonstrate that CMV-specific CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ cells are regulatory T cells (T_R). CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ cells sorted from CMV-stimulated PBMC of CMV-seropositive donors inhibited de novo CMV-specific proliferation of autologous PBMC in a dose-dependent fashion. Compared with the entire CMV-stimulated CD4⁺ T-cell population, higher proportions of CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R expressed FoxP3, TGFβ, granzyme B, perforin, GITR and PD-1, lower proportions expressed CD127 and PD1-L and similar proportions expressed CD25, CTLA4, Fas-L and GITR-L. CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R expanded in response to IL-2, but not to CMV antigenic restimulation. The anti-proliferative effect of CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R significantly decreased after granzyme B or TGFβ inhibition. The CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R of HIV-infected and uninfected donors had similar phenotypes and anti-proliferative potency, but HIV-infected individuals had higher proportions of CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R. The CMV-CD4⁺CD27⁻CD28⁻ T_R may contribute to the downregulation of CMV-specific and nonspecific immune responses of CMV-infected individuals.     

Analysis of CD8+CD28- T-suppressor cells in gastric cancer patients

Host anti-tumor immune responses can be attenuated by suppressor T cells of the phenotype CD8(+)CD28(-) (T(s) cells). In the present study, we investigated the presence of CD8(+)CD28(-) (T(s) cells) in the peripheral blood compartment of gastric cancer (GC) patients. Flow cytometry was used to detect the population of CD8(+)CD28(-) T(s) cells present in peripheral blood in therapy na?ve patients with gastric cancer (n?=?26), postoperative chemotherapy na?ve gastric cancer patients (n?=?23), and healthy controls (n?=?27). Meanwhile, the clinical data of gastric cancer patients were analyzed. A significant difference in the percentage of T(s) cells was observed when comparing peripheral blood samples from cancer patients to healthy volunteers (27.08?±?1.60% versus 10.86?±?0.75%). In the patient group, the percentage of CD8(+)CD28(-) cells among lymphocytes was higher in patients with LN metastasis than those without LN metastasis. The percentage of CD8(+)CD28(-) cells was also related to tumor infiltration and size, but not with the degree of differentiation of cancer cells. Moreover, the percentage of CD8(+)CD28(-) cells was higher in preoperative gastric cancer patients (26.24?±?1.78%) than in those of postoperation patients (15.79?±?1.11%). These findings may reflect the possibility of tumor-induced immunosuppression, and they should be complemented with further studies.     

Overlap between molecular markers expressed by naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and antigen specific CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD28- T suppressor cells

Alloantigen specific CD8+CD28- T suppressor (TS) cells differ from naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ T-regulatory (natural TR) cells not only by their phenotype but also by their mechanism of action. Natural TR have been extensively studied, leading to the identification of characteristic "molecular markers" such as Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). We have investigated the expression of these genes in alloantigen specific TS and CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (TR) cells and found that they are expressed at levels similar to those observed in natural TR. Furthermore, similar to natural CD4+CD25+ TR, antigen-specific CD8+CD28-CD62L+ TS cells have more suppressive capacity than CD8+CD28-CD62L- TS cells. In spite of these similarities, natural TR are not antigen-specific and inhibit other T cells by T cell-to-T cell interaction, whereas TS are antigen-specific and exert their inhibitory function by interacting with antigen-presenting cells and render them tolerogenic to other T cells. The molecular characterization of TS cells may contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms involved in inhibition of immune responses in autoimmunity, transplantation, and chronic viral infection.